Summer reading… war, betrayal and all consuming love.

Many writers have turned their craft and skill to the topic of epic and all consuming love. The longing for love, its presence or its absence …. Our hearts and our lives are largely defined by love.

St. Valentine put his life at risk to wed young lovers in a time when love and devotion was seen as a distraction to the calling of men to war. All for love.

The below JW selection are some of our favourite summer tales of love: Epic love, in times of war, fame, tragedy and betrayal.

Find a comfy nook in some dappled sunlight with your favourite fresh cut flowers in reach (heady and intense with aroma), a glass of sparkling mineral and lime, a box of tissues and an open heart….

Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Louis de Bernières vividly paints a tale of intense love and heartbreak against the backdrop of war. The rhythm of the story builds slowly. The complexity and cruelty of humanity is juxtaposed with compassion, grace and courage. It is heart wrenching, brilliant and timeless.

Zadie Smith On Beauty

Contrasting life experiences and perspectives are beautifully captured by Zadie Smith in this accomplished work. She tells a tale that is all too familiar, of long suffering and acceptance… Yet somehow she manages to surprise and shock at every turn. The themes of love, family and devotion are unpacked across cultures and social expectations. Deeply stirring read, beautiful written… Will stay with you for a while.

Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her Feet

The rock goddess and hopeless photographer, calcifying tragedy and spiralling momentum. Humanities obsession with fame and human ‘divinity’. In this masterpiece Sir Salman Rushdie outlines in enticing detail the journey and perspectives of the three protagonists. This book is an ode to love, in all its forms: desperate and pervasive… pure and enduring.

Death is more than love or is it. Art is more than love or is it. Love is more than death and art or not. This is the subject. This is the subject. This is it.

…

All for love.

The language of flowers.

Fragile, perfect and simple. Flowers are timeless when it comes to matters of the heart. Fragrance triggers memory and elevates mood; the fleeting beauty of the gesture is extravagant.

The traditions of exchanging and displaying buxus, lavender and bay leaf wreaths and bouquets to mark significant events passed through generations dating back to Ancient Rome. Arrangements were used to convey messages between lovers with the colours and form of the arrangements brimming with meaning. This expression developed into more structured displays and arrangements during the Baroque. Then later, sweeping and luscious examples emerged during Impressionism and Expressionism movements.

Across cultures and continents, the art and tradition continues to this day.

The preparation and gifting of flowers has always been a deeply personal and intimate ritual. While we now have florists with exceptional skills and techniques to prepare displays for our events, kitchen tables and loved ones… the ritual remains personal… the gift remains intimate… and flowers do and always will remain an utterly exquisite expression of love.

With love from us to you.